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The Jaguars’ defense was more aggressive in the season’s second half. Sort of.

During their 0-8 start, the Jaguars rushed five or more players on 51 of 289 drop-backs — 17.6 percent — and had 11 sacks.

During their 4-4 second half, the Jaguars rushed five or more players on 67 of 351 drop-backs — 19.1 percent — and had 20 sacks.

The Jaguars’ 31 sacks were tied with Chicago for the league’s fewest.

A complete breakdown (640 drop-backs):

Rushed 3: 46 times (7.2 percent).

Rushed 4: 476 times (74.4 percent).

Rushed 5: 91 times (14.2 percent).

Rushed 6: 24 times (3.8 percent).

Rushed 7: Three times.

Presented with those numbers on Friday, coach Gus Bradley had a quick follow-up: “What about on third down?”

The Jaguars were significantly more aggressive on third down during the second half of the year.

In the first eight games, they rushed five or more only 15 times in 85 drop-backs (17.6 percent).

In the final eight games, they rushed five or more 30 times in 98 drop-backs (30.6 percent).

Of the pass rush, Bradley said: “Our base [four-man] rush — we have to get that humming.”

Look for defensive end to be a priority in free agency.

Brewster will be ready

Mike Brewster, who is rehabilitating a fractured ankle sustained Dec. 15 against Buffalo, wants to be in the mix to compete for the center spot vacated by the retired Brad Meester.

“Obviously they’re going to bring guys in because this is still a new era they’re starting, but it’s going to be a tremendous opportunity for me,” Brewster said. “I’m going to go for it — playing center full time is my goal.”

Brewster spent every Wednesday of his first two NFL seasons practicing at center because Meester would usually have the day off. But his playing time has been exclusively at guard.

Brewster was hurt when Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams hit quarterback Chad Henne into the back of Brewster’s left leg.

A memorable image is Brewster’s refusal to be carted off the field.

“I didn’t want to go down,” he said. “I was able to at least get off the field but couldn’t make it all the way to the locker room [without getting a ride].”

Brewster said his injury is different from what left tackle Luke Joeckel sustained in Week 5 at St. Louis. Brewster’s break was lower in the leg.

Brewster, who had a plate and screws put in his leg, said he should be 100 percent for mini-camp this spring.

Fulham Jax-bound

Fulham Football Club, purchased by Jaguars owner Shad Khan last July, will play a friendly (exhibition) match at EverBank Field this summer. The date will be announced after an opponent is finalized.

Jaguars president Mark Lamping said the stadium improvements — chiefly the new video boards behind each end zone — will be complete for Fulham’s first match in Jacksonville.

“The Jaguars are responsible for going over-budget, but I don’t think that’s going to be the case,” Lamping said. “The only issue that would potentially face us are weather-related that could slow down the schedule.”

Hopefully for Khan’s sake, Fulham is still a member of the Premier League when it comes to the First Coast. After Saturday’s matches it ranks 17th out of 20 teams. The bottom three teams are relegated to the Championship Division.

Special teams rank

Each year, veteran Dallas Morning News writer Rick Gosselin compiles his special teams rankings — a point total based on 22 kicking game categories.

This season, the Jaguars ranked seventh behind New England, San Francisco, Kansas City, Dallas, Baltimore and St. Louis.

The Jaguars were the only NFL team in the top five in both kickoff (third) and punt (fifth) coverage.

Injury recap

Who was the healthiest Jaguars player this year?

Only five Jaguars who started and finished the regular season on the 53-man roster didn’t miss a practice: punter Bryan Anger, long snapper Carson Tinker, tight end Clay Harbor, fullback Will Ta’ufo’ou and cornerback Demetrius McCray.

Harbor broke his ankle in the season finale at Indianapolis and had surgery.

Among the 14 players who finished the year on injured reserve, nine were on the Week 1 roster and five — Joeckel, linebacker Russell Allen (concussion), left guard Will Rackley (concussion), receiver Cecil Shorts (groin) and defensive tackle Roy Miller (shoulder) — were opening-game starters.

Three and out

1. The Jaguars will face four teams (Tennessee, Houston, Cleveland and Washington) with new coaches and will play a whopping 10 games in which the opponent will have a new offensive or defensive play-caller. The new offensive play-callers are the aforementioned four teams and Miami, Cincinnati, Baltimore and the New York Giants. The Jaguars will face new defensive coordinators from Tennessee, Houston, Cincinnati and potentially Cleveland.

2. On the Former Jaguars Assistant Coach Front, new Detroit coach Jim Caldwell has retained special teams coach John Bonamego and tight ends coach Bobby Johnson. Joe Cullen has moved from Cleveland to Tampa Bay to coach the defensive line.

3. Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell spent the first part of last week in the St. Petersburg area scouting the East-West Shrine Game teams. East quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois was added to the Jaguars’ Senior Bowl South team on Friday.

Did you notice Knighton get a 3rd qtr. sack and turnover that propeled Denver to the Super Bowl, and Mincey got hurries. Now we are scrapping the bowl for FA's ? Hmmm... Is it on the cheap our roster is still built, and why?

Now why would one say "Look for defensive end to be a priority in free agency" if they were planning on taking one with the first overall pick in the draft? Could it be a QB is finally arriving? I realize it just could have been O'Halloran saying that but why would even he just say free agency and not add "draft" if the coach, himself, hadn't limited the comment to free agency? Fess up Ryan, was that a coach's slip of the lip or just some loose writing on your part?